Wright likes new manager Collins' style
New York Mets new manager Terry Collins speaks to the media during his introductory press conference at Citi Field. (Nov. 23, 2010) Credit: Getty
David Wright is on his fourth major-league manager in seven years and his third general manager; he's seen three losing seasons, several September swoons, and just one postseason run.
Yeah, it was time to do things a little differently. That translated into the fiery form of Terry Collins. Because when you toss Collins into the hat with Art Howe, Willie Randolph and Jerry Manuel, one of these is most assuredly not like the other.
So, what do you say, Wright? Did the Mets need a shot in the arm? "Yeah, I think so," he said Wednesday at the team's annual coat drive at Citi Field. "I'm excited about the direction the organization is going and it seems like we got some people that have some great plans in place and some fiery attitudes."
Fiery, in case you haven't noticed, is the go-to adjective to describe Collins, who's already been busy calling up players, cobbling together a plan of action and speaking with the media about spring training in this, the dead of winter.
What that change of pace means for an organization that's recently been mired in troubles that range from ties to Bernie Madoff to Carlos Beltran's knee issues, "is one of those things that is yet to be determined," Wright said. "I think [Collins] is going to be a little more emotional. I think he's got a little more of that passion, he's got that fight, and he gets you energized about baseball."
Wright, ever the articulate team spokesman, was quick to point out that this was no bash on his previous managers. "Bad things happen to good people," he said.
That said, for all the optimism around Wright and Collins, who were on hand with Ike Davis and Jason Bay Wednesday, it's hard to ignore the fact the Mets are just a little worse off than they were a few days ago, before Cliff Lee decided to head back to the NL East rival Phillies. Despite having a payroll over $120 million, Sandy Alderson has made it clear that the Mets don't intend to go after big-ticket players.
Wright, though, insisted that the Mets weren't in sit-back mode. "Just because we don't spend a ton of money in the offseason doesn't mean by any means we're trying to cut back or not spend money," he said. "It's obvious that we would rather have [Lee] stay in the American League [but] it happened, and we're going to have to deal with it. We can't worry about who they have and who we don't have."
Collins, for his part, seemed unperturbed. "The response has been great so far," he said of his managerial style. "I've talked to several of the players in person and by telephone and everybody said it was something the team needs."
What effect will it have? "I don't know," he said, barking out a laugh. "I guess we'll have to wait and see."
Fiery, that guy.
